Hosea 2

1 dicite fratribus vestris Populus meus et sorori vestrae Misericordiam consecuta

2 iudicate matrem vestram iudicate quoniam ipsa non uxor mea et ego non vir eius auferat fornicationes suas a facie sua et adulteria sua de medio uberum suorum

3 ne forte expoliem eam nudam et statuam eam secundum diem nativitatis suae et ponam eam quasi solitudinem et statuam eam velut terram inviam et interficiam eam siti

4 et filiorum illius non miserebor quoniam filii fornicationum sunt

5 quia fornicata est mater eorum confusa est quae concepit eos quia dixit vadam post amatores meos qui dant panes mihi et aquas meas lanam meam et linum meum oleum meum et potum meum

6 propter hoc ecce ego sepiam viam tuam spinis et sepiam eam maceria et semitas suas non inveniet

7 et sequetur amatores suos et non adprehendet eos et quaeret eos et non inveniet et dicet vadam et revertar ad virum meum priorem quia bene mihi erat tunc magis quam nunc

8 et haec nescivit quia ego dedi ei frumentum et vinum et oleum et argentum multiplicavi ei et aurum quae fecerunt Baal

9 idcirco convertar et sumam frumentum meum in tempore suo et vinum meum in tempore suo et liberabo lanam meam et linum meum quae operiebant ignominiam eius

10 et nunc revelabo stultitiam eius in oculis amatorum eius et vir non eruet eam de manu mea

11 et cessare faciam omne gaudium eius sollemnitatem eius neomeniam eius sabbatum eius et omnia festa tempora eius

12 et corrumpam vineam eius et ficum eius de quibus dixit mercedes hae meae sunt quas dederunt mihi amatores mei et ponam eam in saltu et comedet illam bestia agri

13 et visitabo super eam dies Baalim quibus accendebat incensum et ornabatur inaure sua et monili suo et ibat post amatores suos et mei obliviscebatur dicit Dominus

14 propter hoc ecce ego lactabo eam et ducam eam in solitudinem et loquar ad cor eius

15 et dabo ei vinitores eius ex eodem loco et vallem Achor ad aperiendam spem et canet ibi iuxta dies iuventutis suae et iuxta dies ascensionis suae de terra Aegypti

16 et erit in die illo ait Dominus vocabit me Vir meus et non vocabit me ultra Baali

17 et auferam nomina Baalim de ore eius et non recordabitur ultra nominis eorum

18 et percutiam eis foedus in die illa cum bestia agri et cum volucre caeli et cum reptili terrae et arcum et gladium et bellum conteram de terra et dormire eos faciam fiducialiter

19 et sponsabo te mihi in sempiternum et sponsabo te mihi in iustitia et iudicio et in misericordia et miserationibus

20 et sponsabo te mihi in fide et scies quia ego Dominus

21 et erit in illa die exaudiam dicit Dominus exaudiam caelos et illi exaudient terram

22 et terra exaudiet triticum et vinum et oleum et haec exaudient Hiezrahel

23 et seminabo eam mihi in terram et miserebor eius quae fuit absque misericordia

24 et dicam non populo meo populus meus tu et ipse dicet Dominus meus es tu

Hosea 2 Commentary

Chapter 2

The idolatry of the people. (1-5) God's judgments against them. (6-13) His promises of reconciliation. (14-23)

Verses 1-5 This chapter continues the figurative address to Israel, in reference to Hosea's wife and children. Let us own and love as brethren, all whom the Lord seems to put among his children, and encourage them in that they have received mercy. But every Christian, by his example and conduct, must protest against evil and abuses, even among those to whom he belongs and owes respect. Impenitent sinners will soon be stripped of the advantages they misuse, and which they consume upon their lusts.

Verses 6-13 God threatens what he would do with this treacherous, idolatrous people. They did not turn, therefore all this came upon them; and it is written for admonition to us. If lesser difficulties be got over, God will raise greater. The most resolute in sinful pursuits, are commonly most crossed in them. The way of God and duty is often hedged about with thorns, but we have reason to think it is a sinful way that is hedged up with thorns. Crosses and obstacles in an evil course are great blessings, and are to be so accounted; they are God's hedges, to keep us from transgressing, to make the way of sin difficult, and to keep us from it. We have reason to bless God for restraining grace, and for restraining providences; and even for sore pain, sickness, or calamity, if it keeps us from sin. The disappointments we meet with in seeking for satisfaction from the creature, should, if nothing else will do it, drive us to the Creator. When men forget, or consider not that their comforts come from God, he will often in mercy take them away, to bring them to think upon their folly and danger. Sin and mirth can never hold long together; but if men will not take away sin from their mirth, God will take away mirth from their sin. And if men destroy God's word and ordinances, it is just with him to destroy their vines and fig-trees. This shall be the ruin of their mirth. Taking away the solemn seasons and the sabbaths will not do it, they will readily part with them, and think it no loss; but He will take away their sensual pleasures. Days of sinful mirth must be visited with days of mourning.

Verses 14-23 After these judgments the Lord would deal with Israel more gently. By the promise of rest in Christ we are invited to take his yoke upon us; and the work of conversion may be forwarded by comforts as well as by convictions. But usually the Lord drives us to despair of earthly joy, and help from ourselves, that, being shut from every other door, we may knock at Mercy's gate. From that time Israel would be more truly attached to the Lord; no longer calling him Baali, or "My lord and master," alluding to authority, rather than love, but Ishi, an address of affection. This may foretell the restoration from the Babylonish captivity; and also be applied to the conversion of the Jews to Christ, in the days of the apostles, and the future general conversion of that nation; and believers are enabled to expect infinitely more tenderness and kindness from their holy God, than a beloved wife can expect from the kindest husband. When the people were weaned from idols, and loved the Lord, no creature should do them any harm. This may be understood of the blessings and privileges of the spiritual Israel, of every true believer, and their partaking of Christ's righteousness; also, of the conversion of the Jews to Christ. Here is an argument for us to walk so that God may not be dishonoured by us: Thou art my people. If a man's family walk disorderly, it is a dishonour to the master. If God call us children, we may say, Thou art our God. Unbelieving soul, lay aside discouraging thoughts; do not thus answer God's loving-kindness. Doth God say, Thou art my people? Say, Lord, thou art our God.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 2

This chapter is an explanation of the former, proceeding upon the same argument in more express words. The godly Israelites are here called upon to lay before the body of the people their idolatry, ingratitude, obstinacy, and ignorance of the God of their mercies; and to exhort them to repentance, lest they should be stripped of all their good things, and be brought into great distress and difficulties; all their joy and comfort cease, and be exposed to shame and contempt, Ho 2:1-13, yet, notwithstanding, many gracious promises are made unto them, of their having the alluring and comfortable word of the Gospel; of a door of hope; of salvation being opened to them; of faith in the Lord, and affection to him as their husband; of the removal of all idolatry from them; of safety from all enemies; of their open espousal to Christ; of his hearing of their prayers, and giving them plenty of all good things; and of their multiplication, conversion, and covenant relation to God, Ho 2:14-23.